CRACKDOWN ON SCAM FARMS
Criminal syndicates have been trafficking thousands of people from around the world to scam centres across Southeast Asia, including along the Thai-Myanmar frontier where victims have been forced to work in illegal online fraud operations, according to the United Nations.
Observers stressed the need for more to be done to cripple cyber fraud syndicates, as scam centres have grown rapidly across the region in recent years.
In January, Thai authorities launched a renewed clampdown after the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who had been lured to Thailand by a lucrative acting job.
He was later found near the Myanmar border town of Myawaddy, an area known for scam hubs, and has since returned home.
Last week, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan lauded the efforts by China and Thailand to secure the release of thousands of scam victims trapped in Myawaddy.
“China has taken strong measures to fight cross border (crimes), especially job scams and illegal gambling as best they can,” he said.
“Thailand was asked to cut the electricity supply (to scam compounds) … That is why many victims were recently released.”
Many of the victims’ families remain anxious and hope the authorities can secure the safe return of their loved ones.
“I hope the (Chinese) army can go into the scam compound where my son is, and force them to surrender so that my son can come back,” said a victim’s father.
